This November, the Fox River Valley Public Library District will celebrate NaNoWriMo and its brave participants with a series of Write Ins to be hosted at the Dundee Library. The idea of crafting a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days time seems crazy-and that's because it is. So join us to meet other local authors, gain inspiration, and learn from published author Edward Herdrich. You can register to attend any of the Write Ins using our online events calendar or by calling the Information Desk.
Well-known authors, like New York Times bestselling Sara Gruen, have completed the challenge in the past and gone on to publish their work with great success. Other past participants include Marissa Meyer, Rainbow Rowell, and Erin Morgenstern.
Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project
That being said, you too can complete the challenge. And you too can win an award! Maybe! The Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project is an annual contest that showcases local, self-published authors. The 2016 application will open on October 12, 2015 and close on January 4, 2016. More information on the Project can be found on their website.
Past Winners
Joanne Zienty was chosen as the first winner of the
Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project in 2014. She has since spoken at
dozens of Illinois libraries on top of giving several interviews to local newspapers,
radio stations, and magazines. Her book, titled The Things We Save, explores the ways families fall apart and
ultimately fall back together again in a lyrical, well-written manner. Zienty
has a descriptive style that's evident from page one. And although
the main character proved rather unlikable, the imagery and emotion surrounding
her struggle made The Things We Save worth
the read.
Michael Alan Peck was chosen as the second winner of
the Project for his novel The Commons Book 1: The Journeyman. The Commons is an afterlife unlike anything I
could have dreamed up on my own. The book itself is fast-paced with short chapters that straddle the line between urban and young adult fantasy. Peck’s characters possess a certain realness
that make the book hard to resist, even for readers who tend to shy from the genre. Michael Alan Peck will appear at the Dundee Library on February 2 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss his series and read an excerpt from The Journeyman. Please register for this event.
